First Few Weeks Studying Abroad in Japan

Photos by Yuna Guu (ArtCenter College of Design), Student Correspondent for AICAD in Japan, Spring 2024

Housing in Osaka

A street scene with residential housing on both sides in Osaka, Japan

The inside of an AICAD in Japan room with suitcases on the floor, a bed, and a hanger stand

After arriving at the airport, an OGU student brought us to our assigned houses, and we moved in. I was assigned to a house in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood of Osaka-shi, next to a beautiful river perfect for running or walking. I was under the impression we’d have roommates before arriving in Japan, but it’s more like having “housemates” than “roommates.” The rooms were bigger than what I had in mind. The housing came with sheets, furniture, and other appliances!

Orientation Dinner

Hot pots on the table with slices of meat on the sides in Osaka, Japan

A large group of AICAD in Japan students standing outside near a station at night

The first week of the program began with a few days of orientation and ended with a final orientation dinner. OGU students (your housemates) and CET students participating in the program ate an all-you-can-eat shabu shabu dinner together. At this point in time, the language pledge had yet to be implemented, so we got to get to know our new housemates better while grappling with the two languages. All the students gathered outside the station together to take a group photo to end the fun night!

Abeno Disaster Prevention Learning Center

We went to the Abeno Tasukaru Center (Abeno Disaster Prevention Learning Center) to learn about what to do in the case of an earthquake and fire. Students had the opportunity to practice making emergency phone calls in Japanese based on different scenarios. We also got to practice using a fire extinguisher and went through different simulations to better prepare ourselves in case something happened during our time here. It was a really good learning opportunity!

Osaka Explorers Scavenger Hunt

A group of AICAD in Japan students smiling and posing on a river cruise in Dotonbori, Japan

A small group of students standing by the famous Glico man sign in Dotonbori, Japan

After the life safety workshop, The Osaka Explorers Scavenger Hunt began! The groups were split by house, and we were given a list of challenges to complete while exploring Osaka. To help us complete these missions, we were given the Amazing Osaka Pass, which let us go anywhere in Osaka without a fee for one day. Our house went to Dotonbori on a river cruise, had our first purikura (Japanese photo booths) experience together, took photos with the famous Glico man, and more!

Day Trip to Koyasan

Students walking towards a temple with snow on the ground in Koyasan, Japan

A group of students sitting at long tables indoors in Koyasan eating Vegetarian bento boxes

In the third week, CET hosted a day trip to Koyasan. It took a few hours by bus to the cemetery and temples while our tour guides took us around to explain each place’s significance. Koyasan was covered in snow and was extremely cold, but it was also extremely beautiful in the winter. For lunch, we ate a vegetarian meal containing some of Koyasan’s highly nutritious specialties like the tofu!

Class Trip

Students sitting inside of a small restaurant with teas in Osaka-ben

In one of our classes, our teacher took us to his hometown to learn more about Osaka-ben. We got to interview some vendors and locals at a shopping district (or shoutaigen) and went to a store run by an acquaintance of our teacher. The store just happened to have some guests, so we got to chat with more locals about their dialects and other miscellaneous things. So, the store owner also treated us to some Hiroshima Okonomiyaki (okonomiyaki topped with an egg and layered with yakisoba) while we were there!